Nelson Mendez of Ridgefield Park knew exactly what was coming, but was practically powerless to stop it.

Ridgefield Park held a one-point lead over Madison with 3.2 seconds remaining in last night's NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 semifinal in Madison.

The home team was going to inbound the ball under the Ridgefield Park basket following a timeout after the Bergen County team had missed a one-and-one.

Mendez knew the ball would wind up in the hands of Aaron Fant, the mercurial point guard from Madison. And sure enough, Fant received the inbound pass, zipped down court and got off a straight-on 24 footer that didn't fall, allowing Ridgefield Park to advance with a 54-53 victory.

``I knew he'd take the shot,'' Mendez, a guard who scored six of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, said. ``And I thought he would pull up. I was just hoping it wouldn't go in.''

The game, played in a loud, packed gym, featured three ties and five lead changes over the final 10 minutes. The winning basket turned out to be a short bank shot by Thomas Gerken from just outside the left block after he grabbed an offensive rebound with 1:27 to go.

``That's the kind of play he makes for us,'' Mendez said. ``We call him Mr. Fundamentals. He does things like that, using the backboard when you're supposed to.''

Madison shot just 7-for-28 when it fell behind, 26-18, at halftime. It was held scoreless over the final 5:12 of the second quarter, which ended with Ridgefield Park scoring the final eight points.

But Madison roared back in the third period, behind an inspired effort from Matt Gilbert, who scored baskets on five consecutive shots -- on an assortment of 3-pointers and strong moves to the basket. He ended with 12 points in the quarter, which concluded with Madison in front, 38-36, after Fant nailed a 3-pointer with two seconds left.

It was then Ridgefield Park's turn to mount a surge at the start of the fourth. Mendez hit three jumpers and Ahmed Gamea hit a 3-pointer for a 45-38 spread with 5:30 remaining.

Madison was down, 48-41, with five minutes left before it went on a 9-1 run, highlighted by a long-distance bucket by Mike Haughey for a 49-49 tie and a steal and free throw by Fant after he was intentionally fouled on a drive for a one-point lead with 2:58 left.

Madison maintained possession after that play, but missed a 3-pointer. Ridgefield Park then got a 3-pointer from Jason Pello for a 52-50 advantage at 2:15. Not to be outdone, Fant followed with a 3-pointer that gave Madison a one-point edge at the 1:49 mark. The decisive bucket by Gerken followed on the next possession.

Madison missed another long-distance attempt and Ridgefield Park missed a one-and-one before Madison missed again on a good look near the hoop with five seconds left.

``We were tenacious and fought back, but sometimes the ball just doesn't go in,'' Madison coach Bill Librera said. ``What upsets me is how this is it for this group as a unit. They've done so much and meant so much to me as a coach. Sometimes the ending of the story doesn't go the way you wanted, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't a really good book.''